Mains Practice Question
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Topic
China has brokered the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. How could it affect ongoing Middle East flash points? (250 Words)
Introduction:
A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a basic fact such as:
A Joint Trilateral Statement was issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China announcing an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies and missions.
The two countries affirmed respect for the sovereignty of states and emphasized on adherence to the non-interference in internal affairs. Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed that the Foreign Ministers of both countries will make arrangements for the return of their ambassadors and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations
The two countries also agreed to implement the bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement signed in 2001 and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth, signed in 1998
Body
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
How could it affect ongoing Middle East flash points?
- The deal brokered by China has a huge significance within the Arab world as well as outside the region. First and foremost, the major beneficiaries of the deal are the bilateral partners.
- The deal symbolizes China’s quiet diplomacy in the region and its evolution from a preferred economic partner to an emerging political ally
- The deal indicates China’s emergence as a strong mediator in West Asian affairs; China has also announced to host the Iran-GCC summit in 2023
- The deal is significant for the regional countries and will have long-term implications for the instability in Yemen and Syria. The conflict in Yemen might take a favorable turn with the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as the government and Houthi group have been receiving covert political, military and economic support from Riyadh and Tehran respectively.
- Baghdad has hosted direct talks between its two neighbours but they stalled last year as Iraq faced a political crisis. Baghdad welcomed the deal as they hope for a general regional detente that would allow their country to rebuild, instead of being destabilised by U.S., Gulf Arab and Iranian score-settling.
- The deal has been welcomed by a number of countries, international institutions and non-state groups alike. The United Nations, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, Turkey, Houthis, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Authority have appreciated the deal and hope that it brings peace to the region.
Conclusion:
Your concluding remark should be short and should encapsulate both parts of the answer. You can write the possible impacts on India. For example:
India has good relations with various countries in West Asia and we have abiding interests in the region. China’s big-ticket diplomacy in the region is sure to impact the I2U2 (Israel-India-UAE-US) grouping.
It calls for India to work on its ties to the region independently of the US (for instance with Iran), and in ways that project its civilisational and cultural links and the positive contributions of the Indian diaspora.
11-Jun 2023
